Amex Platinum UK upgrade
Apr 11, 2006, 4:19 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: BHD, LHR, DUB
Programs: Onetime bmi * Gold lifetime membership, BA Gold, HH Diamond, Starwood Gold
Posts: 393
Amex Platinum UK upgrade
I got a package through the post today concerning several enhancements - which look like real enhancements - to Amex Platinum benefits in the UK although the fee is increasing from £275 to £300.
These improvements match what seems to have happened in Germany but the fee increase is smaller. They include:
* Travel inconvenience cover without having to charge tickets to the card. Although the level of the insurance has fallen it is now possible to claim £300 for baggage delayed 4 hours or more.
* Better cover for car hire so all insurance not included in the basic hire car package are covered by Amex and benefits are payable with no excess, and no need to charge the hire to the Amex card.
* New link to Radisson Hotels and Avis.
* Travel insurance covers the spouse and children of all additional cardholders.
* Priority Pass membership for the Platinum supplementary cardholder free of charge.
All this looks pretty good to me.
bmifly
These improvements match what seems to have happened in Germany but the fee increase is smaller. They include:
* Travel inconvenience cover without having to charge tickets to the card. Although the level of the insurance has fallen it is now possible to claim £300 for baggage delayed 4 hours or more.
* Better cover for car hire so all insurance not included in the basic hire car package are covered by Amex and benefits are payable with no excess, and no need to charge the hire to the Amex card.
* New link to Radisson Hotels and Avis.
* Travel insurance covers the spouse and children of all additional cardholders.
* Priority Pass membership for the Platinum supplementary cardholder free of charge.
All this looks pretty good to me.
bmifly
Apr 12, 2006, 3:47 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 968
Originally Posted by bmifly
I got a package through the post today concerning several enhancements - which look like real enhancements - to Amex Platinum benefits in the UK although the fee is increasing from £275 to £300.
These improvements match what seems to have happened in Germany but the fee increase is smaller. They include:
* Travel inconvenience cover without having to charge tickets to the card. Although the level of the insurance has fallen it is now possible to claim £300 for baggage delayed 4 hours or more.
* Better cover for car hire so all insurance not included in the basic hire car package are covered by Amex and benefits are payable with no excess, and no need to charge the hire to the Amex card.
* New link to Radisson Hotels and Avis.
* Travel insurance covers the spouse and children of all additional cardholders.
* Priority Pass membership for the Platinum supplementary cardholder free of charge.
All this looks pretty good to me.
bmifly
These improvements match what seems to have happened in Germany but the fee increase is smaller. They include:
* Travel inconvenience cover without having to charge tickets to the card. Although the level of the insurance has fallen it is now possible to claim £300 for baggage delayed 4 hours or more.
* Better cover for car hire so all insurance not included in the basic hire car package are covered by Amex and benefits are payable with no excess, and no need to charge the hire to the Amex card.
* New link to Radisson Hotels and Avis.
* Travel insurance covers the spouse and children of all additional cardholders.
* Priority Pass membership for the Platinum supplementary cardholder free of charge.
All this looks pretty good to me.
bmifly
Presumably the UK Centurion fee will be going up as well, otherwise the difference in fees are getting smaller 
Chris
Apr 12, 2006, 4:06 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Finland
Programs: AY Platinum,Marriott Gold,HH Diamond,Sixt Platinum,Hertz PC,AMEX Platinum
Posts: 1,946
The increase is not very much considering the additional PriorityPass etc.
I hope they will also align IEC/IDC, which was until now aligned with other UK cards.
I hope they will also align IEC/IDC, which was until now aligned with other UK cards.
Apr 12, 2006, 3:58 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 105
Actually sounds near enough equal (or better in some cases) to Centurion now as far as hotels and priority pass go.
I cant believe they will leave Centurion alone, unless you stay at the hotels with perks, there seems to be little reason the keep the card.
I wonder how log it will be before they upgrade the cent card, or maybe they are waiting for the numbers to dwindle a bit, make it more exclusive again that way.
I cant believe they will leave Centurion alone, unless you stay at the hotels with perks, there seems to be little reason the keep the card.
I wonder how log it will be before they upgrade the cent card, or maybe they are waiting for the numbers to dwindle a bit, make it more exclusive again that way.
Apr 13, 2006, 5:31 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
In Germany the Plat fee is going up from € 400 to € 500, with the same new "benefits".
Plat and Centurion benefits seem to be getting close, except for the Mandarin Oriental free nights. (Posting from the Landmark Mandarin Oriental...)
Plat and Centurion benefits seem to be getting close, except for the Mandarin Oriental free nights. (Posting from the Landmark Mandarin Oriental...)
Apr 13, 2006, 6:51 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London and Zurich
Programs: AA, BA, Mucci: Sir Roger des Directions Routières, PCR
Posts: 13,609
I needed to check something with the 'help'desk (SPG Gold, as it happens, renewed at green instead of gold level; SPG need a two letter code which is Something Never to be guessed), so I asked a question about car hire coverage.
The packs are being sent to members over a one month period. Changes apply to all platinum charge cardholders from 17 April.
As I renewed in March at £275, I'm grateful for the changes and find the £25 increase justifiable, especially in view of the added car rental coverage and a second Priority Pass membership.
The packs are being sent to members over a one month period. Changes apply to all platinum charge cardholders from 17 April.
As I renewed in March at £275, I'm grateful for the changes and find the £25 increase justifiable, especially in view of the added car rental coverage and a second Priority Pass membership.
Apr 13, 2006, 1:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: London
Posts: 3,459
Originally Posted by Roger
As I renewed in March at £275, I'm grateful for the changes and find the £25 increase justifiable, especially in view of the added car rental coverage and a second Priority Pass membership.
Me too. But will the BA Amex Travel Inconvenience cover (which requires you to use the card to pruchase the tickets, but which which offers higer levels of cover) change to match that offered on the Platinum card?
Apr 13, 2006, 2:10 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: Centurion, VS Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 567
Originally Posted by bmifly
* Better cover for car hire so all insurance not included in the basic hire car package are covered by Amex and benefits are payable with no excess, and no need to charge the hire to the Amex card.
Apr 14, 2006, 4:22 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I'm glad they got their act together on insurance benefits after all the will they/won't they following the changed FSA rules on insurance.
Fee increase seems justified in view of - overall - enhanced benefits. I'm glad you mentioned the car cover, as I'm under the impression that it extends beyond North America, but I'll have to check my recent mailing. I wish they would update the UK website, which still shows the old fee/benefits.
Incidentally, I had a new card sent to me as my old one had a few unusual charges...not crazy about the new design/colour.
Fee increase seems justified in view of - overall - enhanced benefits. I'm glad you mentioned the car cover, as I'm under the impression that it extends beyond North America, but I'll have to check my recent mailing. I wish they would update the UK website, which still shows the old fee/benefits.
Incidentally, I had a new card sent to me as my old one had a few unusual charges...not crazy about the new design/colour.
Apr 14, 2006, 9:56 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 968
Originally Posted by LondonElite
I'm glad they got their act together on insurance benefits after all the will they/won't they following the changed FSA rules on insurance.
Fee increase seems justified in view of - overall - enhanced benefits. I'm glad you mentioned the car cover, as I'm under the impression that it extends beyond North America, but I'll have to check my recent mailing. I wish they would update the UK website, which still shows the old fee/benefits.
Incidentally, I had a new card sent to me as my old one had a few unusual charges...not crazy about the new design/colour.
Fee increase seems justified in view of - overall - enhanced benefits. I'm glad you mentioned the car cover, as I'm under the impression that it extends beyond North America, but I'll have to check my recent mailing. I wish they would update the UK website, which still shows the old fee/benefits.
Incidentally, I had a new card sent to me as my old one had a few unusual charges...not crazy about the new design/colour.
Apr 14, 2006, 2:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Edinburgh, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 968
I've just been home and picked up the new pack. I must say the benefits do seem great for the added £25 (I like the way the letter introduces the higher fee ).
They have really made an effort with the insurance now, and I like the questionnaire. Lets hope some of the service levels (or training) improves too and it should be good all round.
Will be interesting to see what they do with Centurion in the coming weeks or months.
Chris
). They have really made an effort with the insurance now, and I like the questionnaire. Lets hope some of the service levels (or training) improves too and it should be good all round.
Will be interesting to see what they do with Centurion in the coming weeks or months.
Chris
Apr 14, 2006, 3:57 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: BHD, LHR, DUB
Programs: Onetime bmi * Gold lifetime membership, BA Gold, HH Diamond, Starwood Gold
Posts: 393
Originally Posted by razflyer
Is that just for North American car hire, or worldwide?
bmifly
Apr 15, 2006, 2:45 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Programs: Skywards Gold, Abassador Gold, Fly BMI,Starwood Gold, Hilton Honours
Posts: 113
Luggage insurance
Calles up Amex today..you can now only claim £300 if your baggage is delayed more than 4hours. After 48hours you can claim another £300. There is no longer the 7hours rule!
Apr 15, 2006, 7:51 am
#15
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Location: Canada, USA, Europe
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Posts: 31,452
Originally Posted by csdavidson
New design and colour? Post a picture
https://www124.americanexpress.com/c...?page=platinum